Dispensing container



March 28, 1939; R NYDEN 2,152,270

DISPENSING CONTAINER Filed May 24, 1938 Patented Mar. 2 8,; 1939 UNITED l STATES PATENT OFFICE v DISPENSING CONTAINER Robert Nyden, New York, N. Y., assignor to Con-'- tinental Can Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York v Application May 24, 1938 Serial No. 209,817 1 1 Claims. (01. 221-62) The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in dispensing containers, and more particularly to improvements in a dispensing container having a closure which is attached to the container and which is shiftable in all directions over the adjacent surface of the container for opening or closing the same.

An object of the invention is to provide a dispensing container of the above type wherein the closure is resiliently maintained in contact with the adjacent surface of the container in order to effect a tight seal.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dispensing container of the above type wherein the closure, when shifted to a closed position, is positively maintained in such position relative to the adjacent surface of the container.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dispensing container of the above type, wherein the container wall adjacent the closure is shouldered in order to maintain the closure in a closed position.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a container of the above type wherein the closure includes inner and outer closure members, one of which is in the form of a resilient or spring disc which serves to resiliently maintain the closure in tight sealing contact with the intermediate wall portion of the container.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a container of the above type, wherein the shouldered portion on the container provides an internal recess within which the spring closure member is adapted to fit in order to maintain 5 the closure in a closed position.

- The invention still further aims to provide a closure of the above type, which is particularly adapted for use with a container having a rounded dispensing end substantially spherical in 40 shape.

The above and other objects of the invention will in part be obvious, and will be hereinafter more fully pointed out.

.p In the accompanying drawing,

.5 Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation, partly in section, showing a container with one form of closure means associated therewith.

Figure 2 is a top view, in section, taken substantially along the outer surface of the dispensing end of the container.

Figure 3 is a top plan view showing the closure means in an open position.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side view, in section, showing a modified form of closure means.

55 Figure 5 is a fragmentary side view, in section,

showing a further modified form of closure means.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side view, in section, showing a modified form of container with the closure means of Figure 1 associated therewith. 5

Figure 7 is a fragmentary side view, in section, showing a further modified form of closure.

Referring more in detail to I the accompanying drawing, and particularly to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the container, shown for purposes of .illustra- 10 tion, includes a cylindrical body' portion l0 having an outward bead ll spaced from the upper edge thereof. The closing top I! of the container is providedwith a depending skirt portion l3 which fits over the body portion of the con- 16 'tainer l0 and abuts against the outward bead ll,-

although the top I2 may be secured to the body portion III in any suitable manner. As shown in the accompanying drawing, the top i2 is outwardly curved or dome-shaped and is offset out- 20 wardly at I to provide a strengthening rib. The end is further offset outwardly at' It, and this offset portion provides an internal recess defined by slightly tapered shoulders 18. The offset portion' I5 is provided with an annular ring of aper- 25 tures l1, and with a relatively large central aperture I8. The apertures or perforations I'I provide the dispensing openings in the form of the invention shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3.

The closure means of Figures 1, 2 and 3 in- 80 cludes an outer closure member l9 which is in the form of a knob. This knob may! be made of Bakelite or other suitable material and the surface contacting with the curved surface of the 'end of the container is similarly curved. As

'shown in Figure 1, the closing surface of the knob I9 is large enough to overlie and to close the ring of apertures l'l, thus preventing the escape of the contents of the container. The knob I9 is provided with a depending boss 2|] which ex- 40 tends into the central aperture IS inthe portion 15 of the container top and is of a thickness sub stantially equal to the thickness of the metal forming the container top.

An inner closure member 2| is disposed within the container and is secured to the knob l9 by a screw 22 or the like, which passes through the depending boss 20. 'In the illustrated form of the invention, this inner closure member 2| is in the form of a resilient or spring metal disc which is I6 serves to prevent acoidental-shifting'of the closure members. Thus, the closure members are positively maintained in a closed position, and a double closure is provided, that is, the dispensing apertures I! are sealedboth outside and inside of the intermediate container wall.

When it is desired to open the container for dispensing the contents thereof, the knob I9 may be readily shifted by finger pressure in any direction over the surface of the container end. When the knob is shifted to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 1, or to the full line position shown in Figure 3, a few of the dispensing apertures I! will be uncovered. During this movement of the closure members, the inner spring closure 2I is caused to ride over the shoulder I6, as particu larly shown in Figure 1. The depending boss 20 on the knob I9 will ultimately abut against the edge of the central relatively large opening I8 so as to limit movement of the closure members. When the container is to be again closed, the knob I9 is again shifted back to the position shown in Figure 1, and during this movement, the elevated portion of the spring closure 2| will spring back into the recess. Thus, the closure members will be held by the shoulder I6 against accidental uncovering of the dispensing aper tures.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figure 4, the container top I2a is secured to the container I in the same manner described in connection with Figure 1. The top I2a is similarly ofiset to provide a reinforcing rib I4a. The end is further offset outwardly to provide an elevated portion I5a which has a relatively large central aperture I8a. The dispensing apertures I'Ia are disposed between the rib Ma and the offset portion I5a and not within the elevated portion I5, as in Figure 1.

The outer closure member or knob I9a is provided with a depending central boss 20a which overlies the annular ring of the dispensing apertures I'Ia. In this form of the invention, the depending boss 20a is of substantially twice the thickness of the boss shown in Figure 1, and the inner spring closure member 2 la is secured to the boss 20a by a screw 22a or the like. The inner and outer closure members are substantially'coextensive so that the inner closure member underlies the dispensing apertures IIa, thus affording a double closure therefor when the closure members are in the position shown. It will be seen that the depending skirt 23 on theknob I9a is disposed adjacent the elevated edge I6a of the offset portion I5a so that the closure members are held thereby in a closed position against accidental opening.

In order to dispense the contents from the container shown in Figure 4, it is simply necessary to press the knob I9a in the manner described in connection with Figure 1. This pressure will cause a portion of the skirt 23 to ride up on the shoulder or elevated edge IGa, thus uncovering a few of the dispensing apertures I'la. During this movement of the knob I9a, the inner spring closure member 2Ia will be flexed substantially in order to permit the movement thereof. As before, the boss 20a.wi11 abut againstthe edge of the central aperture I8a so as to limit movement of the closure member toga dispensing position.

In the form of the invention shown in Figure 5, the container top 24 is provided with a depending flange 25 which is secured to the container III in substantially the same manner described in connection with Figure 1, although the top may be secured to the container body in any suitable manner. The top 24 is provided with a central dome-shaped portion 29 which is outwardly oflset, as at 21, thus providing an internal recess and an internal shoulder 29. The outwardly of!- set portion 2! is provided with a large aperture 29.

Still referring to Figure 5, the outer closure member 90 is made of sheet metal and is drawn to provide a central depending lug 3| which extends through the aperture 29 and through an aperture in an inner spring closure 32. The inner end of the lug 3| is upset so as to secure the a two closure members together. The lug 3I of the outer closure member merges into a continuous outer peripheral wall portion, the lower end of which is shaped, as at 33, to intimately contact with the outer surface of the portion 21 of the container end. The peripheral edge of the inner spring closure 32 is turned downwardly, as at 34, to facilitate the riding thereof over the shoulder 28 defined around the internal recess beneath the portion 21 on the container end.

In this form of the invention, both closure members are made of sheet metal and no separate dispensing apertures are utilized. In. the position shown in Figure 5, the closure members efiectively seal the contents of the container. When it is desired to dispense the contents of the container, pressure is applied to the outer closure member 30 in the same manner described in connection with Figures 1 and 4. Movement of the closure members in any direction from their closed position will cause the depending portion 34 on the inner spring closure 32 to ride over the shoulder 29 for the greater part of its periphery.

In the form of the invention shown in Figure 6,

the closure means shown in Figure 1 is illustrated as being applied to a modified form of container. In this form of container, the container top 95 is provided with an upstanding neck portion 36. A cap 31 is provided with a depending flange 38 which fits over the neck portion 33,. The central portion of the cap 31 is offset outwardly as at 39 and this outwardly offset portion is centrally apertured and provided with an outer ring of dispensing apertures. The closure members I9, 2I are secured together in the mannershown in Figure 1 and operate in substantially the same manner.

Referring to Figure 7 of the accompanying- -an opening in the inner spring closure member 31a and is upset so that both closure members aresecured together. As described in connection with Figure 5, the lug ila extends through an opening 29a in the oflset portion 21a of the container. Thus, when it is desirable to dispense the contents of the container, pressure is applied to the knob 40 so that the closure members 30a and 32a can be moved in any direction. The depending portion Ila on the inner closure member 32a will ride over the shoulder formed beneath the outwardly offset portion Ila. The lug 3ia will ultimatelyabut against the edge of the aperture 2911, thus limiting movement of the closure members. The aperture 290; is large enough to permit a portion thereof to be uncovered, thus permitting the contents of the .container to be dispensed therethrough.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that a highly efllcient dispensing container is herewith provided, and one wherein the closure may be moved in all directions over the surface of the dispensing end of the container for opening or closing the same. Furthermore, a double closure is afforded so that the opening or openings through which the contents of the container are dispensed are tightly sealed both inside and outside of the container by resilient means which may consist of a spring disc forming one of the closuremembers. An annular ring of dispensing apertures is shown in Figures 1 and 4, although in the form of theinvention shown in Figure 5, the enlarged central apertureis partially uncovered when the closure members are shifted to permit dispensing of the contents of the container. Various forms of openings may be provided in the dispensing end of the container, and the illustrated forms may be interchanged. The closure members are maintained in a closing position so as to prevent accidental movement thereof to a dispensing position, thus protecting and sealing the contents of the container.

It will be further noted that the resilient means or the inner spring closure member, shown in Figures 1 and 5, will fit within the recess formed beneath the outwardly offset portion on the container top. The edges of the spring or spring closure will cooperate with the shoulder formed by the bounding wall of this recess to center the closure members with respect to the container,

top. This centering of the closure will be indicated to the operator and will thus assure that the dispensing openings will be closed when the parts are in this position. In connwtion with Figure 4, the depending skirt on the outer closure member will similarly cooperate with the shoulder formed at the edge of the elevated portion in order to properly locate the closure members in position for completely shutting off the dispensing openings. Thus, the invention provides a dispensing container wherein the closure means is properly centered for closing the container and for preventing accidental opening thereof.

It is to be clearly understood that various changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A dispensing container comprising a body portion, a can top therefor, said can top having a central opening therethrough, a closure member disposed on one face of the can top, a resilient member bearing against the opposite face of the can top, and means extending through the central opening for connecting said resilient member to said closure member for maintaining the said closure member in sealing contact with ing dimensioned relative to said connecting means for permitting movement of said closure memberin any direction over the face of the can top for controlling a passage through which the contents of the container is dispensed. 2-. A dispensing container comprising a body portion, a can top therefor, a closure member disposed on the outer face of the can top, a resilient member bearing against the inner face of the can top, and means for connecting said resilient member to said closure member, said can top being constructed to permit the dispensing of the contents of ,the container therethrough and including a central opening through which said connecting means extends and being dimensioned for permitting movement of said closure member in any direction over the face of said can top whereby to control dispensing of the contents of the container.-

3. A dispensing container comprising a body portion, a can top therefor, said can top having a central opening therethrough and dispensing openings disposed around the edge of the central tion over the face of the can top for uncovering the dispensing openings.

4. A dispensing container comprising a body portion, a can. top therefor, said can top having an offset portion providing a shoulder around the edge thereof and said offset portion having a central opening therethrough, dispensing openings disposed around the central opening, a closure membrtdisposed on the outer face of the can top and normally overlying said openings, a resilient member bearing against the inner face of the can top, and means extending through the central opening for connecting said resilient member to said closure member, said central opening being dimensioned relative to said connecting means for permitting movement of the closure member in any direction over the face of the can top. for uncovering the dispensing openings, and the shoulder formed around said oifset portion in the can top operating to normally maintain the closure member centered and normally disposed within said shoulder and cooperating therewith for maintaining the closure member centered and covering all of said openings, and means extending, through the central opening for connecting said resilient member to said closure member, said central opening being dimensioned relative to said connecting means for permitting movement of the closure member a boss on said outer closure member and the resilient member in unison in any direction in substantially the plane of the can top for uncovering the dispensing openings, and said resilient member being adapted to ride over said shoulder when the closure member is movedto a an outer closure member disposed on the outer face of the can top and normally overlying the openings in said outwardly offset portion, an inner spring closure member bearing against the inner face of the can top and normally disposed within said shoulder and cooperating therewith for maintaining said closure members centered and covering all of the said openings, and means extending through the central opening for connecting said inner spring closure member to said outer closure member, said central opening being dimensioned relative to said connecting means for permitting movement of the closure members in unison in any direction in substantially the plane of the can top for uncovering the dispensing openings and said inner spring closure member being adapted to ride -over said shoulder when the closure members are moved to a dispensing position.

7. A dispensing container comprising a body portion, a can top therefor, said can top having an outwardly offset portion providing an internal recess the edge of which forms an. inner shoulder therearound, said outwardly offset portion having a central opening and dispensing openings disposed around the edge of the central opening, an outer closure member disposed on the outer face of the can top and normally overlying the openings in said outwardly oii'set portion, an inner spring closure memberbearing against the inner face of the can top and normally disposed within said shoulder and cooperating therewith for maintaining the closure members centered and covering all of said openings, and means includng a depending boss on said outer closure member extending through the central opening for connecting said inner closure member thereto, said central opening being dimensioned relative to said boss for permitting movement of the closure members in unison in any direction in substantially the plane of the can top for uncovering the dispensing openings, said inner spring closure member being adapted to ride over said shoulder when the closure members are moved to a dispensing position and said boss abutting against the edge of said central opening for limiting opening movement of said closure members.

8. A dispensing container comprising a body portion, a can top therefor, said can top having an outwardly offset portion providing an external shoulder therearound and having a central opening therethrough, dispensing openings through the central opening for spacing and connecting said inner closure member thereto, the inner edge of the peripheral portion on said outer closure member cooperating with said external shoulder for normally centering and maintaining the closure members covering all of said openings, said central opening being dimensioned relative to said boss for permitting movement of the closure members in unison in any direction in substantially the plane of the can top for. uncovering the dispensing openings, the inner spring closure member permitting the peripheral portion of said outer closure member to ride over said shoulder in order to uncover a portion of said dispensing openings and said boss cooperating with the edge of the central opening for limiting opening movement of said closure members.

9. A dispensing container comprising a body portion, a can top therefor, said can top having an outwardly ofl'set portion provided with an enlarged central opening therethrough. an outer sheet metal closure member having a peripheral flange in sealing contact with said outwardly of!- set portion, an inner spring closure member normally abutting against the inner face of said outwardly offset portion for closing the central opening therethrough, said inner closure member having an aperture therethrough, and means for connecting said outer closure member to said inner closure member and including a depending lug on said outer closure member extending through the said central opening and the aperture in said inner closure member and upset thereunder, said central opening being dimensioned relative to said connecting means for permitting movement of the closure members in unison in any direction in substantially the plane of the can top for uncovering a portion of said central opening to permit dispensing of the contents of the container, and said depending lug on said outer closure member adapted to abut against the edge of said central opening for limiting opening movement of said closure members.

10. A dispensing container comprising a body portion, a can top therefor, said can top having an upstanding neck portion, a cap having a depending flange secured to said neck portion and provided with an outwardly onset central portion, said outwardly oifset portion having a central opening therethrough and dispensing openings disposed around the edge of the central opening, an inner spring closure member normally fitting against the under surface of said outwardly oiIset portion, an outer closure member disposed on the outer face of the can top and normally overlying and closing the openings in said outwardly offset portion, and means ex tending through said central opening for connecting said inner closure member to said outer closure member, said central opening being dimensioned to said connecting means for permitting movement of the closure members in unison in any direction in substantially the plane of the outwardly ofl'set portion for uncovering the dispensing openings;

11. A dispensing container comprising a body portion, a can top therefor, said can top having an outwardly oilset dome-shaped portion provided with a central opening therethrough and dispensing openings disposed around the edge of the central opening, an outer closure member disposed on the outer face of the can top and having the inner closing surface thereof shaped closure member, said central opening being dimensioned relative to said connecting means for permitting movement of the closure member IL. any direction over the face of the dome-shaped portion for uncovering dispensing openings.

. ROBERT NYDEN. 

